B52s - Photoscapes
by Darren Aston
published: 6 / 8 / 2019
intro
Darren Aston photographs the B-52s on their last UK date of their farewell tour at the Manchester 02 Apollo.
First formed in Athens, Georgia in 1976, the B-52s are currently playing their farewell world tour. The tour started in North America earlier this year, saw them visit Europe in June and July where they played four shows in the UK, and is currently concluding with a final round of dates in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Described by John Lennon shortly before his death as being his favourite group, the B-52s have become renowned for their large wigs and the bizarre lyrics of their songs about beach parties, exotic food and space travel. Their music has proved similarly unorthodox, combining elements of 50s rock and roll, 60s girl groups and 70s new wave. The B-52s have had worldwide hits with singles including 'Rock Lobster' (1978), 'Love Shack' (1989), 'Roam' (1990), 'Good Stuff' (1992) and '(Meet) The Flintstones' (1994), and released seven albums, ]The B-52s’ (1979), ‘Wild Planet’ (1980), ‘Whammy’ (1983), 'Bouncing Off the Satellites' (1986), ‘Cosmic Thing’ (1989), ‘Good Stuff’ (1992) and 'Funplex' (2008). While guitarist Ricky Wilson tragically died of AIDS in 1985 and drummer Keith Strickland retired from touring in 2012, the B52s still features original members Fred Schneider (vocals, keyboards), Kate Pierson (vocals, keyboards) and Cindy Wilson (vocals). These photographs of the B-52s were taken exclusively for Pennyblackmusic by Darren Aston on their final UK date at the Manchester 02 Apollo on the 3rd July.
Also at Apollo, Manchester
Band Links:-
https://www.theb52s.com/https://www.facebook.com/theb52s/
https://twitter.com/TheB52s
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_B-52%27s
Picture Gallery:-
live reviews |
Roundhouse, London, 24/7/2008 |
The B-52s' latest European tour was their first in ten years. Anthony Strutt finds the ageless avant garde, wacky Athen, Georgia rockers to have, however, lost none of their ability for fun at a gig at the KOKO in London |
most viewed articles
current edition
Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies - Sala Apolo, Barcelona, 29/11/2023 and La Paqui, Madrid, 30/11/2023Anthony Phillips - Interview
Difford and Tilbrook - Difford and Tilbrook
Rain Parade - Interview
Oldfield Youth Club - Interview
Autumn 1904 - Interview
Shaw's Trailer Park - Interview
Cafe No. 9, Sheffield and Grass Roots Venues - Comment
Chris Hludzik - Vinyl Stories
Pete Berwick - ‘Too Wild to Tame’: The story of the Boyzz:
previous editions
Microdisney - The Clock Comes Down the StairsWorld Party - Interview
World Party - Interview with Karl Wallinger
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EP
Ain't That Always The Way - Alan Horne After The Sound of Young Scotland 2
Steve Harley - Interview
Dwina Gibb - Interview
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Ruts - Life After Death ? : A Profile
Leprous - Photoscapes
most viewed reviews
current edition
Serious Sam Barrett - A Drop of the Morning DewMarika Hackman - Big Sigh
Rod Stewart and Jools Holland - Swing Fever
Loves - True Love: The Most of The Loves
Ian M Bailey - We Live in Strange Times
Paul McCartney and Wings - Band on the Run
Autumn 1904 - Tales of Innocence
Roberta Flack - Lost Takes
Banter - Heroes
Posey Hill - No Clear Place to Fall
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart